Targeting Research for Enhanced Impact on Poverty in Marginal Areas: The Representative Case of the Dry Areas of Syria

Agricultural research in marginal dry areas can contribute to reducing poverty through the development of technological, institutional and policy options for poor farmers by addressing diversified opportunities and development pathways. This paper analyzes the diversity of rural livelihood strategies in the Khanasser Valley in northwest Syria, an area representative of marginal drylands. We experimentally define an operational classification of household typologies based on their different livelihood strategies, capabilities, and opportunities by applying a Sustainable Livelihoods framework. Livelihoods diversity has implications on where and how research must be targeted to have impact on poverty. Households less endowed in land and natural resources and with livelihoods only marginally based on farming have to rely on off-farm income or exit agriculture. Poorest households with livelihoods based on migration and scarce land assets can benefit little or only indirectly from agricultural research. Yet the poor laborers with enough assets can benefit more and directly from pro-poor agricultural research. We discuss the pathways that these different groups can undertake to escape poverty, with emphasis on those that use agricultural technologies developed within an Integrated Natural Resources Management approach by a benchmark project of ICARDA in the Khanasser area. Some of the technologies, assessed ex-ante based on extensive experimental data, can contribute to improving livelihoods and preserving the natural resource base. If, however, these are to become part of effective development pathways and impact on poverty, they must meet various policy and institutional conditions, that we discuss vis-a-vis the different typologies of users.Impact, Livelihoods, Marginal Areas, Poverty, Syria, D1, I3, O3, Q12, Q16, Food Security and Poverty,

Impact of land tenure and other socioeconomic factors on mountain terrace maintenance in Yemen:

This paper describes the land property rights and tenure systems in the western escarpments of the Yemeni Highlands, and analyses the impact of land tenure arrangements and other socioeconomic factors on terrace maintenance. Owner-cultivated land is dominant in the terraced area, but more than one-third of the land is sharecropped. Terraces cultivated by landowners have a lower number of broken walls per hectare than those cultivated by tenants under sharecropping arrangements. This is more significant on sharecropped public (state and waqf) than private lands the reason being the lack of clearly defined responsibilities between tenants and landowners for maintenance and cost sharing. These responsibilities are defined in the customary rules of land use, but uneven power distribution, which favors landlords, results in lack of clear rules and enforcement mechanisms. The study recommends government action in strengthening existing local institutions in documenting sharecropping contracts, improving and targeting agricultural credit services, instituting better price policies, and improving technologies for farmers. These measures will likely increase land users' expected returns to investment, particularly for food crops, and increase landowners' willingness to invest in terrace maintenance.

The challenges on out-scaling participatory methods in agricultural research

For the last decade or so, participatory research has become an attractive mechanism for conducting adaptive agricultural research. This is mainly motivated by the perception that closer association with resource-poor farmers in identifying the problem and involving them in research implementation presents greater chance of success and adoption of research outputs; hence; enhancing the impact of agricultural research. The advantage of participatory research is considered more prominent in, although not limited to, the adaptation of technologies that require local knowledge of the social, economic and biophysical environments or need high level of human capital or require cooperation of different stakeholders. Resource-poor households in the dry and marginalized areas who face complex biophysical and socioeconomic constraints have benefited less from the agricultural research successes, which led to the green revolution, compared to the farmers in well endowed environments. The result is high prevalence of poverty and malnutrition in the dry areas. However, there is potential to improve the welfare of these households through agricultural research and development. The development of participatory research approach and its application came form the necessity of reaching out these resource-poor farmers whom their participation in the research and development process is considered as key in bringing about a desirable change

Impact of ICARDA Research on Australian Agriculture

Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Gendered Dimensions of Key Value Chains in Southwestern Morocco

The Morocco Green Plan (MGP) has delivered significant economic benefits to small farm households. A concentration on improving efficiency and profitability within value chains for key local commodities has, through the creation of women’s cooperatives, also led to positive outcomes in female empowerment. Through qualitative and participatory research methods, our analysis of gendered aspects of value chains for argan, rose, cactus, and saffron in southwestern Morocco suggests that economic empowerment, fostered through existing women’s cooperatives, is fragile and subject to significant threats. In large part, this is the result of a state-driven approach that has not effectively considered the inequities inherent within value chains for key local commodities; and the meshing of existing social and cultural norms with the tenets of a national drive toward ‘modernization’ of the agricultural sector. We suggest that the MGP is gender blind in this respect. Couching value chain enhancement initiatives within an innovation systems framework, as opposed to a state-centric process, is more likely to achieve well-being within rural communities, together with sustainable (social and economic) returns within pro-poor value chains

Because gender matters : strengthening social and gender analysis in ENRM in the Middle East and North Africa

This project aimed to build the gender research capacity of four teams in national research institutions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Among findings, research in Djelfa, Algeria, confirmed a strong relationship between the degradation of productive natural resources (rangelands) which affects grazing patterns of livestock and the loss of local knowledge related to women's production of traditional garments. As well, analysis of the male-dominated food industry through case studies generated lessons for the Rural Women Cooperatives. Research also shows how men and women farmers cope with climate variability, where coping strategies are shaped by gender dimensions of power relations and decision making

Baseline values of canine tear production determined by schirmer tear and phenol red thread tests.

Although research on canine tear production and dry eye has been reported in temperate countries in different breeds, there is no Malaysian data. On the average, at least two new cases of dry eye are diagnosed weekly at the University Veterinary Hospital (UVH) of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia. Currently in UVH the guidelines for the diagnosis of keratoconjunctivitis (KCS) and monitoring of response to treatment are based on recommendations for temperate countries. Thus the objectives of this study were to determine the Malaysian baseline values for canine tear levels using Schirmer tear test (STT) and phenol red thread test (PRTT), the relationship between and diurnal effect on STT and PRTT in dogs. The average baseline values for canine tear production in healthy local dogs in Malaysia with normal tear film breakup time (TBUT) were within the range of average baseline values reported in temperate countries. The average STT value for both eyes was approximately 22 mm/min and the PRTT was approximately 26 mm/15 s. There was poor relationship between STT and PRTT. This might be due to the presence of one or more confounding factors. The red colour change in PRTT was more intense when STT was performed first followed by PRTT and vice versa. The intensity of red colour change in PRTT was even more when performed in KCS dogs. This is because the intensity of the colour change in the phenol red thread is due to increasing alkalinity. Thus, KCS dogs had more alkaline tears than normal dogs. The lowest tear level was in the afternoon when diurnal study was conducted. Hence, KCS tests should be performed in the afternoon in order to obtain a more accurate measurement of tear level. Tear levels fluctuate when normal dogs were exposed in clinic with air-conditioned environment. Therefore, KCS tests should be performed immediately when dogs arrived at the clinic

A casemix: congestive heart failure readmission rate and its associated factors in a tertiary teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur

Cardiovascular mortality is within the top five causes of death from non-communicable disease based on World Health Organization profile. Around 20% of heart failure patients are readmitted within 30 days worldwide. Readmission within 30 days for congestive heart failure often related to non-compliant to fluid restriction, natural progression of the disease or pre-mature discharge. The study aims to evaluate the 30 days readmission rate of congestive heart failure in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) from the year 2016-2017 using casemix data and to determine the associated factors related to it. Based on the data coding, cost of readmission incurred was calculated. The 30-days readmission rate of heart failure to UKMMC in the year 2016-2017 was 53.5% & 43.5%, higher than the developed countries standard but similar to that of local teaching hospitals. After adjustment, age and level of severity are the only significant associated factors for the 30-days readmission rate. Shorter average length of stay (ALOS) & lower extra-tariff were achieved for readmission of heart failure. Total of RM80,329.73 was saved in the year 2017 from prompt treatment and comprehensive care plan of treating 19.3% level 3 severity patients at level 1 ALOS and tariff-cost. The 30-days readmission rate for heart failure in UKMMC was comparable to local teaching hospitals. The reduction of 30-days readmission rate in 2017 saved much cost, shows good clinical governance and advanced treatment strategy. Casemix can be used to guide budget allocation for the cardiology department of UKMMC

Importance Socio-économique du safran pour les ménages des zones de montagne de la région de Taliouine-Taznakht au Maroc

Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. It has been grown in Morocco for centuries in the region of Taliouine-Taznakht, a region with a great saffron reputation nationally and internationally. It has been used for its culinary, medicinal and cosmetic properties. The objectives of this study are to assess the socio-economic importance of saffron for households of the mountainous areas of this region and to study its role of saffron in poverty and inequality reduction in those areas. We conducted a socio-economic survey among 264 households in six representative rural communities in the region. Saffron is the dominant source of income for these rural households, many of whom are poor. Saffron is a labor intensive crop, and women play a crucial role in the production of saffron. Saffron is a promising way to stimulate local development and help to alleviate poverty and inequality in that region.Le safran est l’épice la plus chère du monde. Il est cultivé au Maroc depuis des siècles dans les zones montagneuses de la région de Taliouine-Taznakht, réputée par son safran de haute qualité à l’échelle nationale et internationale. Il est utilisé pour ses propriétés culinaires, médicinales et cosmétiques. Cette étude consiste à évaluer l’importance socio-économique du safran pour les ménages des zones montagneuses de cette région et son rôle dans la réduction de la pauvreté et de l’inégalité. Une enquête socio-économique a été conduite sur un échantillon de 264 ménages répartis sur six communes rurales représentatives de la région. Les résultats montrent que le safran est la principale source de revenu pour les ménages, qui sont généralement pauvres, et c’est une source importante de travail, notamment pour les femmes. Le safran est une voie prometteuse pour la réduction de la pauvreté et de l’inégalité dans cette région. &nbsp